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Ron Pickering

Ron Pickering (4 May 1930 – 13 February 1991) was a athletics coach, , and broadcaster renowned for his pivotal role in developing champions and popularizing the sport through television commentary. Born in , he trained as a and became a national coach, most notably guiding Welsh long jumper to gold at the 1964 . Pickering's influence extended to mentoring elite athletes such as and , while his charismatic broadcasting career with the —from the 1968 Olympics onward—helped bring athletics to a wider audience through programs like and Superstars. Educated with a in from Carnegie College in and a degree from Leicester University, Pickering began his career as a teacher before transitioning into coaching in the early 1960s, serving as the national coach for . He married Jean Desforges in 1954, who won bronze in the 4 × 100 m relay at the 1952 Olympics, and together they emphasized ethical values and youth development in sport. Pickering transformed the Haringey Athletic Club into a major talent hub and advocated for athletics as a means of personal growth, famously stating, “Sport is the most precious commodity we have to hand on to the next generation.” In 1986, Pickering was awarded the () for his services to sport. Following his sudden death at age 60, the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund was established by his family and former athletes, providing over £2 million in support to aspiring talents, including future stars like . His legacy endures as a champion of , , and excellence in athletics.

Early life and education

Early years

Ronald James Pickering was born on 4 May 1930 in Hackney, , . Growing up in the during the economic hardships of the 1930s , he experienced the challenges of a modest, working-class environment typical of the area, which later shaped his dedication to accessible youth sports programs. From an early age, Pickering showed a natural aptitude for physical activities, influenced by the community-oriented sports scene in pre-World War II . Local playgrounds and informal gatherings provided initial opportunities for play, instilling a passion for athletics that would define his life. As a young boy, he demonstrated talent in multiple sports, including football, where he earned trials with West Ham United, though he eventually gravitated toward events. This early engagement with sports through neighborhood and school-based activities laid the groundwork for his future involvement in coaching and promoting ethical sportsmanship among underprivileged youth. These formative experiences transitioned into his formal education, where his interests deepened. He attended West Ham Secondary School, which later became known as Stratford Grammar School.

Education and early teaching

Pickering obtained a Diploma in from Carnegie College of Physical Education in in 1953, following his national service in the King's Own Regiment after secondary school. He subsequently pursued further qualifications at the , earning a in that prepared him for a career in teaching and sports instruction. Upon completing his Diploma, Pickering entered the teaching profession as a instructor in schools. He first returned to Stratford Grammar School, his former where he had been head boy, to take up a teaching position. In 1955, he moved to County High School, continuing his role in promoting amid the subject's emphasis in the post-war curriculum. As a , Pickering's work naturally extended into initial at the school level, where he mentored emerging young athletes and helped organize local competitive meets to foster interest in the . This early in educational settings laid the groundwork for his deeper involvement in athletics development.

Coaching career

Early coaching roles

Following his graduation from University with a degree in in the early , Ron Pickering transitioned from teaching to part-time while serving as a physical education instructor at and later County High School in . This period, spanning approximately 1953 to 1960, saw him apply his pedagogical training to mentor young athletes through school-based programs and affiliations with local athletics clubs in the region, laying the foundation for his professional career. Pickering's coaching philosophy, developed during these formative years, placed a strong emphasis on the ethics of , holistic youth development, and opposition to doping practices. He viewed as a for building and personal resilience, advocating for and to counteract emerging and performance-enhancing temptations in the . This approach prioritized long-term welfare and ethical standards, influencing his methods with trainees and setting him apart as a principled mentor.

National coach for Wales and Olympic success

In 1961, Ron Pickering was appointed National Coach for by the Welsh Amateur Athletic Association, a role he held until 1966, during which he was based in and traveled extensively to train fellow coaches and teachers across the region. A cornerstone of his tenure was his work with long jumper , whom he first met in June 1961 and persuaded to switch from to specialization. Pickering devised a comprehensive training regimen delivered initially via letter, focusing on building speed and strength in winter, refining technique in summer, and instilling mental resilience through motivation and confidence-building exercises. This three-year preparation culminated in Davies' gold medal victory at the in , where he achieved a winning jump of 8.07 meters on his fifth attempt, edging out the favored American by just four centimeters. Pickering's efforts had a wider on Welsh , fostering greater participation among young athletes and elevating the region's competitive standing, including enhanced medal hauls at events like the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in , where he served as Welsh team coach. His energetic approach inspired a generation of participants and improved coaching infrastructure despite persistent hurdles. Throughout his time in , Pickering confronted significant challenges, including limited funding for training facilities and equipment, as well as regional parochialism that restricted broader development; he actively advocated for increased resources to support emerging talent in underrepresented areas.

Broadcasting career

Entry into commentary

Ron Pickering's transition to sports occurred in the late , as his reputation as a leading athletics coach drew the attention of the . His coaching background positioned him well for recruitment to provide expert analysis, capitalizing on his deep technical knowledge of the sport. His television commentary debut came at the 1968 Olympics, where he joined the team alongside , marking a pivotal entry into national media as an analyst rather than a participant on the field. During the Games, Pickering offered insights into performances like Bob Beamon's record-breaking , drawing directly from his coaching experience to explain techniques and strategies for viewers. This background made him a natural fit for delivering authoritative, insider perspectives that enhanced broadcast coverage of complex events. Pickering's early broadcasting efforts also included notable appearances at the 1969 in , where he served as a commentator for coverage, building on his exposure. Adapting from hands-on to the demands of live on-air delivery presented initial hurdles, such as condensing technical expertise into concise, engaging narration under time pressure, yet his prior roles had honed his communication skills as a teacher and motivator. As fellow athlete and commentator Seb Coe later noted, "He came to his commentary with an insight that few commentators have because few are coaches," underscoring how Pickering's credentials bridged the gap effectively.

BBC presenting and notable programs

Pickering established himself as a prominent BBC television personality in athletics commentary starting from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where he provided coverage alongside David Coleman, and continued through the 1980s, encompassing multiple Olympic Games including Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980, Los Angeles 1984, and Seoul 1988. His commentary extended to Commonwealth Games, European Championships, and the inaugural World Athletics Championships in 1983, delivering insightful analysis of events like Bob Beamon's long jump world record in 1968 and Daley Thompson's decathlon triumphs. Renowned for his enthusiastic yet measured style, Pickering blended technical expertise with engaging storytelling, earning a reputation as a trusted voice that made complex athletics accessible to broad audiences and fostering excitement during high-stakes competitions. A key part of his portfolio was hosting from 1973 until his death in 1991, a children's sports program that pitted school teams against each other in athletic and challenges, such as relays, obstacle courses, and events. Episodes often featured celebrity athletes as guests, including swimmers like Duncan Goodhew, who demonstrated skills and participated in interviews that highlighted achievements and inspired young viewers, with Pickering's "Away you go!" signaling the start of pool-based contests. The show played a significant role in popularizing engagement and awards ceremonies within a competitive format, running for 112 episodes from 1973 to 1987 and influencing subsequent children's programming by emphasizing fun, teamwork, and recognition of budding talent. Pickering also co-presented Superstars from 1973 to 1985 alongside , a prime-time series that showcased elite athletes from diverse sports competing in a multi-discipline format akin to a , including 400m runs, canoeing, , and time trials. Notable participants included track stars like David Jenkins, swimmers such as David Wilkie, and cyclists like Chris Hoy's predecessors, with the competition structured around regional heats leading to national and international finals to determine the overall "Superstar." Over its 12 series, the program evolved from basic fitness tests at venues like to more elaborate international showdowns, attracting millions of viewers by humanizing sports icons through cross-discipline rivalries and Pickering's knowledgeable, passionate delivery that enhanced audience connection to the athletes' efforts.

Personal life and legacy

Family and personal relationships

Ron Pickering married Jean Desforges, a prominent , on 23 October 1954 at Emmanuel Church in , . Desforges competed for at the 1952 , placing fifth in the 80 metres hurdles and winning bronze in the 4 × 100 metres relay. She won bronze medals in the 80 metres hurdles and at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. The couple had two children: daughter , born in 1958, who became a teacher and founding of the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, and son (1961–2023), who followed in the family tradition as a throws . represented in the shot put at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, finishing 27th, and won bronze for in the same event at the in . Pickering died on 11 May 2023. Pickering's family played a key role in supporting his career in athletics, with Jean remaining actively involved in the sport as a coach and administrator after their marriage. Following Ron's death in 1991, Jean, alongside and , established the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund that year to provide grants for young British athletes, issuing its first awards in 1992 and continuing to support emerging talent in line with Ron's dedication to youth development and sports ethics. The family's shared passion for athletics extended to household discussions emphasizing fair play and the broader benefits of sport, reflecting Ron's lifelong advocacy for its moral and aspirational values.

Awards, honors, and death

In 1986, Pickering was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to athletics and broadcasting. During the 1980s, Pickering took on significant administrative roles in sports infrastructure development, including serving as a key figure in the management of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, where he had earlier been the first Director of Sport since 1966 and continued contributing to its recreational programs. He also played a leading role in proposing and promoting the London Arena as the UK's largest indoor sports and leisure complex at Millwall Docks, collaborating with Lord Selsdon and the London Docklands Development Corporation from 1982; the facility, converted from a dock warehouse, opened in 1986 with initial funding of £8 million and expanded to seat over 12,000 for events like boxing and concerts. Pickering's health deteriorated in late 1990 due to heart problems, leading to a quintuple heart bypass operation in November 1990. He died suddenly at his home in Digswell, , on 13 February 1991, at the age of 60. His was held shortly after, attended by prominent figures from the and worlds, with immediate tributes highlighting his and contributions; for instance, fellow commentator Chris Brasher described him as a "champion of the " in sport, noting their lunch together just days before his death. The aired a special tribute program honoring his career. Pickering's legacy endures through the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, founded in 1991 by his wife, Jean Pickering, an medallist, to support young athletes. The charity, a registered entity (No. 1005166), provides grants exceeding £2 million to date for equipment, coaching, travel, and mentoring to talented athletes aged 15–23 from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, emphasizing ethical development in sport; it has backed the majority of Britain's Olympic athletics medallists since 2008, including all individual winners at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

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